because now I’ve kissed you, I want more, and I don’t know how to handle that.”
“Oh.”
He smiled as his finger slid over her lips, her teeth grazing the pad with a nip that made him suck in a breath. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. His attention on the job would slip if he didn’t get this under control and he had no idea how to do that. For the first time in his adult life, he wanted a woman he knew he shouldn’t because she split his focus. Yet, somewhere deep inside him, he craved her. It was why he verbally sparred with her so often—because he wanted her and that was all he could have.
Now he wondered if that was enough. She drew him like no other woman ever had and the more he saw of her, the more he wanted. Could he use this trip to get it out of his system, or would he fall under her spell even more?
“You’re dangerous.”
“So are you.”
He could see the pulse in her neck fluttering wildly and was desperate to kiss her again. He leaned in until he was almost touching her and ran his nose along her neck behind her ear. Her hands came to rest on his forearms, and he wasn’t sure if it was to hold on or to push him away.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night after the Governor’s reception?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
He was confident it wasn’t, but he wanted it anyway. “It’s just dinner, Astrid, not a marriage proposal. It would be good for us to get to know each other better when we’re working so closely.”
She swayed back on her feet, and he placed a steadying hand at the base of her spine, supporting her. Her eyes, which he’d thought were blue, were actually more blue/green fading to almost grey near the iris. They were steady on him now, as if she was trying to understand him better. He didn’t even understand himself at that moment and knew he was acting out of character but couldn’t seem to stop.
“Do you have dinner with Reid or Blake?”
He smirked, knowing precisely what she was asking. “Sometimes, but this wouldn’t be the same.”
“Why not?”
His pinkie finger rubbed along the curve at the top of her ass, and she inhaled sharply. “Because I don’t want to fuck them so bad I can’t see straight.”
“So, you do want to fuck them?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Just me then?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem happy about it.”
“Honestly, I’m not. I don’t do relationships and don’t have time for distractions, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Day and night. It’s infuriating.”
“I’m not sure. I want you. I’ve made no secret of that. This,” she waved a finger at him from head to toe, “is a nice package and for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about you either, but I don’t want to get hurt, Jack.”
“How about we start out as friends and see what happens? I won’t promise commitment because honestly, I don’t want it, but I’d like to get to know you better and see where that leads.”
“Fine. Dinner as friends.”
He leaned in close until his lips were a whisper away from hers. “And kissing? Is that off the table?”
She blocked him with her hand, but she was grinning. “For now. Let’s see how dinner goes.” Astrid stepped back. “I need to check on a few things for tomorrow. This lady in waiting job is harder than it looks.”
He knew the moment was gone and they were back to work mode and liked that she could focus her mind like that. “I’m sure it is, and you’re doing a great job. Queen Lydia speaks very highly of you. In fact, I’m sure she’d keep you permanently if you let her.”
“That’s sweet, but I don’t think I’m cut out for court life. I already want to stab Otterly Montague with a blunt spoon.”
“Bloodthirsty little thing, aren’t you?”
“You’d be as well after a week with her.”
Jack chuckled. “You’re probably right.”
“I should get going.”
“See you at the morning briefing.”
“Yes, absolutely.”
He kept watching as she walked away, wondering if he’d just made a colossal mistake. He hadn’t meant to ask her to dinner, but he wanted more from her, of her. Now was the worst possible timing but he’d take it slow and be her friend, and if she offered more, he’d take it. As long as it was only his body because the rest wasn’t up for grabs.
As he walked